Post-driver



(No Model.) RIV. HEATON. {sheets-sheet 1.

Postr DRIVER; v No. 516,649.5 Patented Mar. .20,1 1894.

(N0 Model.)

l4 sheets-sheen 2. R. HEATON; POST DRIVER :PatentedA Mar.' zo, 11894:.

(No Model.) 4 8heetS-Shee1- 3.

R. HBATON.

POST DRIVER. 1\IQ..516,649.V Patented Mar. 20, 1894..;

Invwor By M Marre/G55,

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(No Model.)

N0."516,649. Patented Mar. 20, 1894.

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NTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROLLA HEATON, OF CANTON, MISSOURI.

POST-DRIVER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 516,649, dated March 20, 1894.

Application filed March 28. 1893. Serial No. 468.062. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ROLLA HEATON, of Canton, 1n the county of Lewis and State of Missourl, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Post-Drivers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference lbeing had to the accompanying drawings,

formingapart of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

Thls invention relates to improvements in devices for facilitating. fence building and particularly the setting of the posts by driv- 1ng, and although primarily intended and adapted for such use, itis apparent that it ma).7 be used for other purposes where it is desirable to utilize the force of afallin g weight forany purpose. v

lheinvention consists in certain novel detalls f construction and combinations and arrangements of Y parts all as will be now described and pointed out particularly in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure l is a side elevation of a machine constructed in accordance with my invention, mounted on a wagon or running gear with the wheels in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the slide ways folded down on the- Y have constructedl the frame work for the driving mechanism proper, of longitudinal timbersA A, with'transverse timbers or bolsters B B adapted to rest on the bolsters of the running gear of an ordinary lumber wagon. The latter is of ordinary construction and will not be described specifically, especially as it is obvious` that it may be modified in accordance with the manufacturers ideas of what a proper running gear is. vThe timbers or bolsters B have their ends notched atb for the accommodation of the standards b, and together with the timbers A form a rigid frame work, upon the rear end of which is hinged the depending yoke frame C, which in turn carries at the lower end the block D pivotally connected thereto, both the pivots between this block and yoke and between the, yoke and frame A being arranged to turn on centers transverse to the lengtix'of the frame so as to swing in the same vertical plane therewith.

The slide. ways lettered E, are pivotally connected at their lower ends to the block DV so as to swing in a plane transverse to the length of the frame, thus the said slide ways may be tilted forward, backward, or toeither side and in order to hold them in the desired position of adjustment the following mechanism isprovided. v

The timbers A have longitudinal ways or tracks c formedthereon, preferably on the inner sides, and mounted to slide thereon is aslide frame F having the rear end formed t into a segment f, arranged transversely to the length of the main frame, and thewhole held in any desired positionof Aadjustment by alpin or bolt passing throughany onel of a series of holes g in the bottom of the slide frame, and into a corresponding hole in a cross bar G secured to the main frame A.

On the segmental part of the slide frame is pivoted a standard H, which may be held in any position of lateral adjustmentby means ot' a pin h or equivalent holding d evice for locking it to the segmentl The slide frame, segment and standard are made strong so asto support the lateral strain of the slide ways up and down which the weight travels, and a connection is formed between the top of the standard H and said slide ways by means of a yoke I fastened to thel slide ways .at each side, and detachably connected in front to a'screw rod K passing through the top of the standard where it` is adjustably held by the threaded handwheel lo, mounted'on thekrod between forks of the standard, and if desired, by means of a lock nut K', in additionr to the hand wheel.

The adjustment of the slide ways by means of the screw it will be seen, is forward and backward, and enables said ways tobekept vertical when the .machine isworkingup or down hill, and by swinging thestandard to IOS) one side or the other,`by turning the standard on the segment of the slide frame, the ways may be kept vertical when workin g on a side hill.

When it is desired to fold the slide ways down for transport-ation, as shown in Fig. 2, the standard is disconnected from them by breaking the connection between the yoke and screw rod, moving the standard to one side and allowing the slideways to turn down forward, pivoting on the hinge joints connectlng the rear of the frame and depending yoke, thereby raising the said ways above the top of the frame and allowing it to fold down 1nto horizontal position. Vhen in raised or vertical position the Ways are prevented from moving on the hinge centers, just mentioned, by clamps L which clamp the depending yoke firmly to the rear faces of the depending brackets Z on the end of the frame A. The particularl construction of these clamps is not material, but as shown, they consist of U-shaped pieces pivotally mounted on the depending yoke and adapted to swing up and clamp the sides of the yoke and brackets, in which position they are held by pins Z.

A driver or weight L2 is mounted to reciprocate 0n the slide ways in any ordinary or approved manner, and is adapted by its im pact on the top of the post, located between the Ways at the bottom, to force the same into the ground. This Weight is elevated by means of a rope Z2 or equivalent passing through guides and around a pulley M at the top of the ways, thence down to a pulley M, at the bottom of the ways and thence forward to the winding or hoisting drum O journaled in vertically adjustable bearings P secured to the sides of the frame A.

Each end of the drum shaft is squared for the reception of a notched disk N, outside of which, on the round portion of the shaft, is mounted a pawl n having a limited movement transversely of the shaft, secured by forming the aperture through which the shaft passes oblong or elliptical as shown. The pawl carries at the outer end, oppositely extending projections n with enlarged heads, the projection on one side being adapted for engagement with the notches in the disk and on the other, for engagement with a notch in the handle O2 which latter is journaled loosely on the end of the shaft and held in place by a nut.

The pawl as before stated, has a limited movement transversely of the shaft, the object of which is to permit of its ready disengagement from the drum or disk, to allow the latter to turn backward rapidly, as the weight descends, and when it is not desired to disconnect the weight from the rope. At such times, the drum is under the control of the friction brake P of ordinary construction. When the pawl is in engagement with the disk, it is prevented from becoming disengaged therefrom so long as the handle is pressed forward, by the notch in the handle into which the outer projection on the pawl drops when the inner projection is in a corresponding notch inthe disk, and from which it cannot escape until the handle is given a relative backward movement,as will be readily understood from the drawings.

While the weight may be controlled from the drum and caused to reciprocate by winding the drum in the proper direction to raise the Weight, then releasing the drum so that the weight can descend, I do not design to operate it in this way under ordinary circumstances, but prefer to employ an automatic trip, formed by a sliding cross head Q connected to the rope by a central eye, and having a pair of pivoted pawls or catches Q2 with their lower or hook ends adapted to gravitate into position to engage a bar or equivalent device q on the top of the weight, and having their rear or more properly upper ends extended ahove the cross-head and curved into proper position to engage the inner faces of inclines R secured at the top of the ways, wherebythe said upper ends ot' the pawls are forced toward each other an d their lower ends separated so as to release the weight, as soon as it reaches the top of the ways, allowing it to descend upon the post at the bottom of the ways.

To hold the post. in proper alignment during the driving operation, guides are provided adjustably mounted on the slide ways, such guides consisting of boxes or collars S movable up and down the slide ways, and adapted to be clamped in position by cam levers s held between ears on the rear side of the boxes and adapted to engage the face of the slide ways when turned down.

Journaled in ears or ways at front and rear of the boxes are guide rodst carrying at their forward-ends clamp or guide faces or blocks T centrally recessed or otherwise shaped for the reception of the post being driven. Cross headsUare mounted on the rear ends of the guide rods t and through them pass screws u connected at theinner ends to the boxes and carrying on their outer ends hand wheels V whereby the guide blocks may be set forward to clamp or embrace more or less firmly the post held between the slide ways as will be readily understood. Springs v may be employed to move the guide blocks outward if desired.

In operation the hoisting drum may be driven by any preferred power, manual for instance applied to the drum shaft through the crank handle, for raising the weight, and the post having been properly positioned between the guides at the bottom of the slide ways, it will be seen that when the weight is released, either by having the catches moved out of engagement therewith as before described, or by having the drum released, it will descend and by its impact on the top of the post, drive the same into the ground. The guides may be made tight or loose as desired, and may be set at any 'desired height ICO on the slide ways, thus in addition to guiding the post, will serve as a gage to ydetermine the height of the posts, in order that they will all be of a uniform height throughout the line.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new isl. In a driver, such as described, the combination with the driver frame, of the depending yoke hinged to the rear end of the same, the slide ways hinged to the lower end-of the yoke frame, adjustable connections between said slide ways and driver frame, the weight and means for actuating it; substantially as described.

2. In a driver, such as described, the combination with the driver frame, of the depending yoke hinged to the rear end of the same, with means for connecting said yoke rigidly thereto, the slide ways connected to the bottom of theyoke, a detachable connection between the slide ways and driver frame for holding the slide ways in vertical position and whereby the same may be folded down on said frame, the weight and means for actuating it, substantially as described.

3. In a driver, such as described, the combination with the driver frame, the yoke hinged to the rear end thereof, with means for forming a rigid connection between the yoke and frame, the slide ways hinged tothe bottom of the yoke bya double hinge oruniversaljoint, and an adjustable connection between the slide ways and the driver frame; substantially as described.

4. In a driver such as described, the combination with the driver frame, the depending yoke hinged to the rear end thereof, and the clamps for connecting said yoke and frame rigidly, ofthe block hinged to the bottom of the yoke, the slide ways hinged to the block, adjustable connections between the slide ways and driver frame, the. weight and means for actuating the same; substantially as described.

5. In a driver, such as described, the combination with the driver frame, the standard adjustably connected thereto and the depending yoke hinged to the rear end of the said frame,

of the slide ways hinged to the bottom of the yoke and an adjustable connection between the top ofthe standard and the slide ways with a weight and means for actuating the same; substantially as described.

6. In a driver, such as described, the combination with the driver frame, the slide frame adjustably mounted thereon and the standard adj ustably mounted on the slide frame, of the slide ways adjustably connected to the rear of the driver frame and an adjustable connection between the top of the standard and slide ways, with a weight and means for actuating the same; substantially as described.

7. In adriver, such as described, the combination with the driverframe having the ways thereon, the slide frame mounted on said ways and having the transverse segment at the rear end, the standard adj ustably connected with said segment, of the slide ways adjustably connected to the rear end of the driver frame and an adjustable connection between.

nation with the driver frame having the ways thereon, the slide frame mounted on said ways and having the transverse segment at the rear end and the standard adj ustably connected to the segment, of the depending yoke hinged to the rear endof the driver frame, with means for connecting the same rigidly to the frame,

the 4slide ways pivotally connected tothe bottom of the yoke, the detachable screw connection between the top of the standard andthe slide ways, the weight and means for actuating the same; substantially as described.

10. In a driver, such as described, the combination` with the driver frame, slide ways carried thereby and the weight adapted to be reciprocated on the slide ways, of the post guides provided with cam levers, whereby they may be clamped in adj ustedl position on the slide ways; substantially as described.

1l. In a driver, such as described, the combination with the driver frame, the slide ways carried .thereby and the Weight adapted to be reciprocated on the slide ways, the post guides adjustably mounted on the slide ways, of the rods journaled in ears aty front and rear of said guides, and carrying guide blocks at their forward ends for the reception of the post being driven, and means for adjusting IOO said guide blocks laterally; substantially as and for the purpose set'forth.

12. In a driver, such as described, the combination with the driver frame, the slide ways carriedthereby and the weight adapted tobe reciprocated on the slide ways, the post guides adj ustably mounted on the slide ways, the rods journaled in ears on the post guides, and carrying the cross head at their rear ends and the guide blocks at their forward ends,

of the screws connected to the post guides and passing through the cross head, and carrying the hand wheel on their outer ends, whereby the post guides may be adjusted laterally; substantially as described.

13. In a device, such as described,the combination with the slide ways, and weight travcling thereon, of the winding drum, the disk carried by and rotating .with the drum, the

pawl provided with oppositely extending projections at its outer end engaging notches in the disk and handle respectively, whereby said pawl will be heid in engagement with the disk while the handle is being pressed forward; substantially as described.

14. In a driver, such as described, the cornbination with the driver frame, the slide Ways, the Weight and the Winding drum, of the notched disk carried by the Winding drum, the pawl having a movement transverse to the axis of the drum and the handle having a notch for cooperation with the pawl to pre- [o vent such transverse movement; substantially as described.

ROLLA HEATON. Vtnesses:

L. E. EMMONS, J r., L. E. EMMONS. 

